I was reminded of why I had started doing the podcast – people need to know these tips, more than ever before. Not only that, seeing Susan’s book reminded me that I belong to a community of Disney fans unlike any other. The ones who spend countless hours pouring over the best strategies for helping their friends and family have the best trip to Disney (or any theme park, really). Although going to Walt Disney World CAN be a magical experience, Disney makes no guarantees. Empowering yourself with the latest, greatest information for maximizing your time, money and energy can be crucial to having a great vacation. Susan’s latest book is one every Disney planner is going to want to have in their arsenal.

Continue the conversation when you Like and Follow us on Social Media:

Correction: In the introduction to the interview with Susan Veness, I inadvertently referred to Susan’s earlier book as Hidden *Secrets* of Walt Disney World. I meant to say Hidden Magic, which if you read it will illustrate that it is full of delightful magic and wonderful secrets!

This week: A Spontaneous Two-Day September Trip Report, with Mark Lucas (@KingOfWDW)

You probably remember Mark from Episodes 14, 18, 21 and 23. He’s a professional Disney fan who knows how to manage his time, money and resources while visiting The Most Magical Place on Earth. I enjoy having Mark on to share his knowledge about traveling, eating and taking pictures and this episode is PACKED with more of his amazing insights. I always learn something new when I talk with him, and I’m sure you will too!

Today we talk about…Why Mark chose to head down in early September. What impact Irma had on his trip. The Food and Wine Festival and what tracking apps to use. The All-Star Resorts. Viewing fireworks from The Polynesian Resort. Taking LOTS of pictures. Why you should take a spontaneous solo-trip to Walt Disney World.

Did you know that the Animal Kingdom lodge is closer to most of the parks than the Wilderness Lodge?

This week: Talking Disneyland Hack Attack’s with the hosts of the Theme Park Duo Podcast

The Theme Park Duo is a Husband and Wife team, Nikki & Gabriel Montoya that absolutely love Theme Parks, Amusement Parks, Haunts, Dark Rides, Roller Coaster and many more things in the Theme Park world. They have a fun podcast called, “The Theme Park Duo Podcast,” where they talk about a myriad of topics and news of the Theme Park world (Shocking, I know).

Well, today they are sharing their absolute best Disneyland hacks! From what to do, when to do it, and how to do it best, these two know and they’re not holding back. They’re like a full-blown spigot of Disney parks knowledge, pouring it all out for our benefit.

Although, buying and selling of FastPass+ has happened in the past, Disney has done a good job toward preventing this from happening.

I find it interesting that the question asks, “Can” someone buy FastPass’s. My gut reaction is, “No!” But that’s not entirely true. One could purchase a VIP Tour and, in essence, would be buying FastPass’s.

On the Disney World website, The Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour includes a 7-hour tour with lunch and, “…expedited access to top attractions at Walt Disney World Resort.”

Without really saying it, Disney is selling you FastPass’s (i.e. expedited access to attractions). There’s even variations on the VIP Tours. For example, the newest one is a 4-hour tour of Animal Kingdom that includes a walk on to both of the Pandora attractions, the Safari, Expedition Everest and more!

Of course, it’s not cheap. The 7-hour tour (which you can use to take you anywhere you want to go) costs $300/person. The 4-hour DAK tour will set you back $265/person. That’s definitely something to consider if you’re interested in buying some FastPass’s for your next trip.

What do you think? Would you take a tour for the strict reason for paying to bypass lines at Walt Disney World?

This week: Hurricane Irma’s impact on Walt Disney World and what it can mean to current, arriving and departing guests.

Joining me this week are four Disney regulars who know a thing or two about traveling during extreme inclement weather.

Peter and Holly Bercase are Florida residents. Holly is a native Floridian with memories from riding out several past hurricanes, including the infamous Hurricane Charley from 2004. Her Husband, Peter has some specific recent memories from last years Hurricane Matthew, which also closed down Walt Disney World for a day last October.

Also joining us is Full-Time Disney Fan and member of the Hack Pack, Mark Lucas. Mark shares how he has been keeping a close eye on Irma, as he is planning a quick trip down to Walt Disney World this week and wants to make sure he’ll be able to see everything he wants and still catch his flight back home.

Last, but not least is professional travel agent, Jennifer Galambos. Jennifer was at Walt Disney World last year when Hurricane Matthew made landfall and was forced to take shelter at her resort.

The panel is FULL of great tips, tricks and hacks for what to do before, during and after a hurricane intrudes on your WDW vacation. If there’s any great tips you can think of that we miss, please let us know on social media or in the comments below.

I hope you enjoy the conversation.

Sub note: We do not actually encourage traveling during a hurricane. We take these extreme weather conditions very seriously and we expect you to do so as well.

Episode 21 is packed with dozens of photography tricks and tips that Mark and I have personally used to maximize our photographic return on a trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth!

You may remember Mark from Episode 14 where he shared his best tips on saving some green by eating lots of sugar, and Episode 18 where he shared some insightful nuggets from a recent packed trip to Florida.

Well, today we are talking about many of our personal hacks for planning, taking, sharing, storing and editing your Disney trip photos, such as…

The Disney Hack – Tricks and Tips for your Early Morning EMH Walt Disney World Trips!

This week: How To Get Your Family Excited About Early EMH, with Maven from GoInformed.net

Episode 19 is packed with early morning Extra Magic Hour (EMH) rituals with Hack Pack member Maven, the founder and chief travel blogger of GoInformed.net, a blog that brings you the insights to inspire and inform your next adventure!

A natural travel hack master, Maven has been traveling to Orlando for years, as well as Hawaii, the Caribbean and that dark place in Central Florida beyond the Disney property.

You may remember Maven from episode 12 of TDH where we talked about Hacking Early Morning ADR’s. Well, today we are talking about some early morning wake-up tips and strategies to best use early extra magic hours such as…

I met mark on Instagram when we followed each other’s accounts. He was kind enough to send me a PM on Instagram letting me know how much he enjoyed the show. I replied and we begin a conversation that ended with us recording episode 14 (Find it here: Episode 14), about dining hacks on how to save money by taking advantage of the appetizers and dessert menu while eating your way around Walt Disney World.

Mark is a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to Walt Disney World. This time we dive into his recent trip report to the World (his 6th in under a year!) and how his family hacks their way to a better experience each time. Mark generously give his best ideas on how to navigate Walt Disney World from the flight down, to the flight home. I really hope you enjoy our conversation!